embarking and disembarking

[Wendy P]

I have a question about embarking and disembarking rides.

We leave in 3 days (YEAH) for Disney. We're travelling with my mother who has a host of mobility problems which make her very shaky on her feet. She has no cartilidge in her knees which also makes stepping up or down very difficult. In addition she has osteoporosis so if she falls she breaks something - She just got out of a cast for a broken wrist!

That said she wants to do it all. She's told my kids she wants to ride thunder mountain and splash mountain with them etc. Meanwhile I'm having panic attacks thinking of her falling getting on and off these rides. I know we're going at a busy time and I know how rushed you can feel getting on and off of some of the rides (I once had a Pirates of the Caribbean boat take off when I was in mid-step to get in because it had taken my Mom so long to get in before me). What can I do to make sure she's given the time and assistance she needs getting in and out of rides?

She'll have an ECV so where they're available she'll be using the handicapped entrance. Is there more we can do? I might add that she's also very stubborn and WILL NOT ask for help on her own. Unless I'm there to quietly offer a hand she'll just try to do it herself.

I'm worrying myself sick over this. I was with her when she broke her hip a couple years ago and I really don't want to repeat that scene - especially thousands of miles from home. On the other hand she's paying for my trip and she is an adult - I can't really stop her from doing what she really wants can I?

Oh, any advice on rides she should specifically avoid would be helpful too. I'm not even sure she should ride thunder and splash mountain with osteoporosis - what other rides are either too difficult to load and unload or too jostling for someone who's fragile (we're doing all 4 Disney parks plus Universal and IOA).

Thanks for any input-
Wendy

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to disABILITIES.
Here's a link to a thread that should be helpful. It's all about boarding when you need a little extra time.
Since she will have an ecv, she will be entering at the accessible entrance for each ride. For those rides where an ecv can't go in, they do have a wheelchair available at the ride entrance to switch to. Encourage her to do that so she still gets the assistance she needs. For some rides, she would be able to stay right in the wheelchair for the ride, then you won't have to worry about her boarding. As long as she has the wheelchair or ecv, the CMs will know that she has some need for assistance - it's up to you (or your mom, who doesn't sound like she will speak up) to tell them. If you need the walkway stopped, let them know. When you are near the boarding area (often the exit for folks in wheelchairs or ecvs), let the CM know that she is shaky and will need extra time.

You can get a Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities at Guest Services. There is one for each park and it does give a short description of each ride (like is it a "turbulent thrill ride" or a "quiet boat ride") and tells a tiny bit about boarding (not enough to be really helpful, IMHO), but at least you will know if it is a moving walkway. I don't have the link for it at work, but you can also download the Guidebooks from the official Disney website. You could ask at Guest Services about a Guest Assistance Card (GAC), but if she is using a wheelchair or ecv in lines, she would not need one. A GAC is basically a way to let CMs know that you need extra assistance if you have an invisible disability.

I would ride with caution any of the rides that have health warnings. Splash Mountain would probably be OK, although there is a rather large step into and out of the boat. There are a few drops (including the really big one), but other than the drops it is a smooth ride. Thunder Mountain involves a lot of twisting and quick turning. I think that would be too rough because she might get thrown back and forth against the inside of the train. Anything that says "turbulent thrill ride" in the Guidebook is not a good idea, IMHO.

 

[Absimilliard]

The rollercoasters are all quite... eventful, meaning that even a tame one (Big Thunder Mountain) still packs lots of drops and turns. Loading into that one is the easiest of all the rollercoasters in Orlando (the floor of the car is level with the loading dock and I guess there is that small footguard, but its not that big.) Splash Mountain is quite tough, since you have to step on the bench, then sit (legroom is quite limited, so its could be difficult to get out).

All the boat rides are like Splash Mountain... but the catch is, on some of them, they have wheelchair accessible boats (litteraly you roll on the boats while still sitting in the wheelchair).

Backlot Tour (watch out for Catastrophe Canyon! They litteraly simulate a earthquake! So, the car will start doing left to right and right to left movements), Universe of Energy, Kilimanjaro Safaris and all the 3-D shows are ok. If you rent an ECV, you may have to transfer to a wheelchair (which they have at the attraction) since the vehicles on some of them cannot accomodate ECV.

 

[SueM in MN]

All the boat rides are like Splash Mountain... but the catch is, on some of them, they have wheelchair accessible boats (litteraly you roll on the boats while still sitting in the wheelchair).

There are 2 boat rides where you can roll right on - Small World at MK and the Mexico ride in WS.

 

[Absimilliard]

Living with the Land. All the boats are accesible I believe.

 

[SueM in MN]

You are right, Living with the Land has the front seat with a ramp for rolling on (I'm not sure either if it's all the boats). I wasn't thinking about Living with the Land because it's not a ride where you have to step down that much for the ride, so it is easier to get into than Splash Mountain or Pirates.

 

[Wendy P]

Thank you all for you inputs. I'm feeling a little better about helping her to be able to enjoy the rides she wants to.

I'll report back on how she does so others in her situation might benefit.

One more day to go - tomorrow the laundry and packing commences!

Wendy